Freezing of income and asset limits of Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme
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The Chief Executive's 2017 Policy Address (PA) announced a series of enhancements to the Low-income Working Family Allowance Scheme (to be renamed as the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme with effect from April 1, 2018). Upon the implementation of enhancements on April 1, 2018, it is expected that the WFA Scheme will basically cover the applicants of the household-based WITS. As such, the household-based WITS will be abolished at the same time when the enhancements are implemented. Henceforth, eligible applicants may apply for the WFA and/or the individual-based WITS.
Furthermore, upon completion of upgrading its information technology systems, the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency will take up the processing of individual-based WITS applications currently performed by the Labour Department (LD) (expected to be on April 1, 2019, at the earliest) to bring about more efficient and convenient service provision to applicants. The way forward for the individual-based WITS will be considered having regard to the changes in the number of applications following the implementation of the WFA Scheme, as well as the proposed non-means-tested Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme announced in the PA.
The freezing of the income and asset limits of the WITS Scheme takes account of the above-mentioned way forward for the WITS. The Legislative Council has been consulted on the proposal.
Enquiries about the income and asset limits of the WITS Scheme can be made at its 24-hour hotline 2717 1771 (handled by 1823) and enquiry counters of the WITS Division of the LD at Unit 1225, 12/F, Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. Details of the WITS Scheme are also available at the LD's homepage (www.labour.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, December 15, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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